Andeew bapvbows



(N0 Model.)

A. BARROWS.

SPIKE.

No. 340,082. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

MUlhognphcr. Walhmgtan, a, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREYV BAR-ROWS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GUST ENGDALL, OF SAME PLACE.

SPIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,082, dated April 20, 1886, Application filed February 8, 1886; Serial No. 191,231. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW BARRO\VS, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Spikes of Iron or other Metal for Railway and other Purposes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My particular object is to make such a disposition of the metal in the spike as, with a decrease of the amount or weight of mate rial, will produce a spike of equal or greater strength and rigidity, and greater holding power or resistance to drawing force when the spike has been driven. I accomplish this end by rabbeting or making a recess, either curved or angular, in each corner of the spike, from just above the top or beginning of the bevel or taper which terminates in the wedgeshaped point of the spike upward for a greater or less distance, according to the size of the spike and the purpose for which itis intended, the rabbets or recesses being of uniform or 5 nearly uniform width for their entire length on those sides of the spike which are beveled or tapered to form the wedge-shaped point, and increasing in depth rapidly from their lower ends to their greatest depth in from (1}) 3o one-fourth to one half inch above their commencement, leaving a shoulder on each corner above the wedge-shaped point, and

gradually shoaling or rising from their deepest part to the top or conclusion of the rab- V bets or recesses, and leaving a rib or tongue of metal of uniform or nearly uniform width, and thick enough to give strength and rigidity to the spike between the rabbets or recesses and on the front and rear sides of the spike, and forming on each edge of thespike alanceshaped barb extending in width from the edge to the ribs above mentioned, so that the wood,when cut and forced aside by the wedgeshaped point in driving, will spring back and close in above the barb as the spike is driven, thus giving the spike a firmer hold, and rendering it more difficult to draw it out of the wood.

By the expression front and rear sides wherever used in the specification is intended those sides of the spike which are beveled or tapered to form the wedge-shaped point, and by the word edges, when used, is intended those sides of the spike which are not so beveled or tapered.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an edge view of the spike, showing a side view of the rabbets or recesses on the corners and the lance-shaped barb on one edge of the spike, the other edge being similar. Fig. 2 is a front view of the spike, showing the rabbets or recesses and the tongue or rib between them on the front side of the spike, the rear side being similar. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the spike at X, above the rabbets or recesses, not showing any part of them. Fig.

4 shows a cross-section of the spike at Y, just above the lower end of the rabbets or recesses and about midway of the shoulders of the recesses. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the spike at Z, being the deepest part of the rabbets or recesses, at which point the metal is disposed in the form of a cross.

Having thus fully explained and elucidated my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A spike of iron or other metal having its corners rabbeted or recessed with curved or angular recesses from a point just above the commencement of the bevel or taper which terminates in the wedge-shaped point of the spike, so as to leave on each edge of the spike a lance-shaped barb flanking a rib or tongue of metal down the middle of the spike on its front and rear sides, substantially as described. 8 5

2. A spike of iron or other metal rabbeted or recessed on its corners above the bevel or taper which terminates in the point, so as to leave a central rib or tongue down the front and rear sides of the spike, the edges of the 0 spike forming on each side of such rib or tongue a barb to increase the holding power of the spike when driven.

3. A spike of iron or other metal having a lance-shaped barb on each edge, formed by 5 cutting out a recess in each'corner of the spike, above the tapering point, so that when driven the wood may close in above the point and give the spike a greater holding power, and still leaving the spike of its full size and IOO strength in the upper portion, where strength and rigidity are needed.

4. A spike of iron or other metal having a recess cut or rabbeted out from each corner, 5 above the commencement of the bevel or taper to the point, taking away a portion of the material, so as to form a lance-shaped barb on each edge above the commencement of the taper to the point of the spike, so as to increase the holding power of the spike when driven,while to also decreasing its: weight.

ANDREW BARROWS.

Witnesses:

O. F. GOODING, WILLIAM H. SIssoN. 

